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First Period
First Period were the first real houses constructed by the English settlers, the first generation. These are built with steep roofs, but are also asymmetrical, a result of their fragmented building schedule. The builders of these homes were trained with English Medieval techniques. An example of this is the they had the homes face south because it would help maximize there heat sources from the sun. -
Georgian Colonial
The Georgian Colonial houses were made to mimic the Italianate styles. These had been associated with the reigns of England’s King Georges. It was created by an English architect Sir Christopher Wren. Georgians get their name from the time period they were designed in and the King George I, II, and III who were in power, thus providing the name. In the 1700 and the Revolutionary War time period, this style of home started to pop up in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. -
Federal
The Federal homes were a progression from the Georgians. Federals style homes consist of 2-3 story boxes, about 2 rooms deep, and a relatively simple exterior. The style of home was also easy to build due to the very boxy, straight forward design. They get their name from the federal system, being developed at this time, and a source of great national pride that the United States fought for so hard. So why not name a style of home out of it and reflect on our country -
Greek Revival
The Greek Revival houses derived their name from an increased interest of society in the far west as well as in history -- specifically Greece. There was at first, a fascination with Roman architecture, but this attention was transferred over to Greece. This represented the distant yet ideal culture that people hoped to replicate. The houses are typically painted white to keep that authentic Greek building because the typical Greek structure would be made out of white marble. -
Gothic Revival
People wanted to bring back the neo-Gothic architecture of medieval times, providing the name for these building. Gothic architecture was related to the Catholic/religious re-awakening that was common during this time period. These houses were spread mostly through western US, had slanting roofs with ornamental boards, and pointed windows. While not as popular as Greek or Italianate houses, these were very common in churches but also appeared in some public buildings. -
Italianate
The Italianate is a style of houses that originated in England in the 19th century. These houses were modeled off of the Italian farmhouses for the elite, thus getting their name. By the time theses houses reached American architecture, the rules were much more loose, allowing for the people building the homes to have their own interpretation with a minimal Italian influence. These spread through the US by the 1830s, and can be identified through their ornamental windows, doors, and porches.
